Artificial hair fibers, head accessory including same, and method for manufacturing same

ABSTRACT

Fibers for artificial hair containing resin particles adhering to the fiber surface are provided. The amount of the resin particles adhering to the fiber surface is 0.3% omf or more and 1.1% omf or less. The average particle diameter of the resin particles is 1 μm or more and 20 μm or less. A method for producing the fibers for artificial hair, includes applying a resin emulsion having an average particle diameter of 350 nm or more to the fiber surface, in an amount of 0.3% omf or more and 1.1% omf or less on a solid basis. The fibers for artificial hair having an excellent combing property and a gloss close to human hair, hair ornament products including the same, and a method for producing the same are provided.

TECHNICAL FIELD

One or more embodiments of the present invention relate to fibers forartificial hair that can be used as an alternative to human hair, hairornament products including the same, and a method for producing thesame. Specifically, one or more embodiments of the present inventionrelate to fibers for artificial hair having a high combing property anda gloss close to human hair, hair ornament products including the same,and a method for producing the same.

BACKGROUND

Conventionally, human hair has been used for hair ornament products suchas hairpieces, hair wigs, hair extensions, hair bands, and doll hair,but it becomes difficult to obtain human hair recently. Therefore, humanhair is being replaced with fibers for artificial hair using syntheticfibers, including acrylonitrile-based fibers such as modacrylic fibers,polyvinyl chloride-based fibers, and polyester-based fibers. However,the synthetic fibers for artificial hair have a strong surface gloss andlook unnatural as a whole when used in hair ornament products,particularly in hair products such as hair wigs and hairpieces, andhence various methods have been studied to improve the gloss of thesynthetic fibers for artificial hair. For example, Patent Document 1 hasdeveloped polyester-based fibers containing a brominated epoxy-basedflame retardant and an acidic phosphorus-based compound. In PatentDocument 1, by adding the acidic phosphorus-based compound to apolyester-based resin, the viscosity of the polyester resin is reducedand the dispersibility of the brominated epoxy flame retardant blendedin the polyester-based resin is decreased, causing the surface layer ofthe fibers after spinning to express roughness and consequently reducingthe gloss of the fibers.

Patent Document

-   Patent Document 1: WO 2013/180281 A1

The water content of the fibers for artificial hair of Patent Document 1varies widely because the acidic phosphorus-based compound is highlyhygroscopic, varying the quality of resultant fibers and making itdifficult to control the gloss reduction. Further, the unevenness on thefiber surface is difficult to control, which sometimes results in fiberswith a poor combing property. Thus, there is still room for improvement.

One or more embodiments of the present invention provide fibers forartificial hair having an excellent combing property and a gloss closeto human hair, hair ornament products including the same, and a methodfor producing the same.

SUMMARY

One or more embodiments of the present invention relate to a fiber forartificial hair containing resin particles adhering to the fibersurface. An amount of the resin particles adhering to the fiber surfaceis 0.3% omf or more and 1.1% omf or less, and an average particlediameter of the resin particles is 1 μm or more and 20 μm or less.

One or more embodiments of the present invention relate to a method forproducing the fiber for artificial hair, including applying a resinemulsion to the fiber surface. An average particle diameter of the resinemulsion is 350 nm or more, and an application amount of the resinemulsion on a solid basis is 0.3% omf or more and 1.1% omf or less.

One or more embodiments of the present invention relate to a hairornament product containing the fiber for artificial hair.

One or more embodiments of the present invention provide fibers forartificial hair having an excellent combing property and a gloss closeto human hair and hair ornament products including the same.

The production method of one or more embodiments of the presentinvention enables production of fibers for artificial hair having anexcellent combing property and a gloss close to human hair.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a scanning electron micrograph (1500× magnification) of thesurface of a fiber for artificial hair of Example 1 of one or moreembodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a scanning electron micrograph (1500× magnification) of thesurface of a fiber of Comparative Example 1 of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present inventors have conducted earnest studies. As a result, itwas found that adhesion of a specific amount of resin particles having aspecific particle diameter to the surface of fibers for artificial hairimproves the combing property while reducing the gloss of the fibersurface. The reason for this is considered to be that the resinparticles having a specific particle diameter present on the fibersurface easily create an appropriate unevenness on the fiber surface,reducing the gloss without deteriorating the combing property andallowing the fibers for artificial hair to have a gloss close to thehuman hair. Especially, application of a resin emulsion having aspecific particle diameter to the surface of fibers for artificial hairenables the resin particles to easily adhere to the fiber surface, andthe resin adhering as aggregate particles having a predeterminedparticle diameter creates an appropriate unevenness on the fibersurface, reducing the gloss without deteriorating the combing propertyand allowing the fibers to have a gloss close to the human hair.

<Resin Particles>

In one or more embodiments of the present invention, the resin particlesadhere to the surface of the fibers for artificial hair in an amount of0.3% omf (on the mass of fiber) or more and 1.1% omf or less. Theadhesion amount of the resin particles may be 0.35% omf or more and 1.0%omf or less, or 0.4% omf or more and 0.9% omf or less. If the adhesionamount of the resin particles is less than 0.3% omf, the amount of theresin adhering to the fiber surface is small, resulting in aninsufficient gloss-reducing effect. If the adhesion amount of the resinparticles is more than 1.1% omf, the amount of the resin adhering to thefiber surface is excessive, deteriorating the touch and the combingproperty.

In one or more embodiments of the present invention, the amount of theresin particles adhering to the surface of the fibers for artificialhair may be determined as follows, or may be calculated based on theamount of the resin emulsion applied to the surface of the fibers forartificial hair described later.

<Adhesion Amount of Resin Particles>

35 mL of a mixed liquid of cyclohexane and ethanol at a volume ratio of1:1 was used as an extraction liquid. 2.0 g of fibers was immersed inthe extraction liquid to extract the resin adhering to the fibersurface. The extracted liquid is evaporated to dryness, and the weightof the remaining component is taken as the amount of the resin particlesadhering to the fibers.

The average particle diameter of the resin particles on the surface ofthe fibers for artificial hair is 1 μm or more and 20 μm or less. Theaverage particle diameter of the resin particles may be 1.5 μm or moreand 15 μm or less, or 2 μm or more and 10 μm or less. If the averageparticle diameter of the resin particles is less than 1 μm, it isdifficult to create unevenness on the fiber surface, resulting in aninsufficient gloss-reducing effect. If the average particle diameter ofthe resin particles exceeds 20 μm, the resin particles are too large,deteriorating the touch and the combing property.

In one or more embodiments of the present invention, the averageparticle diameter of the resin particles on the surface of the fibersfor artificial hair may be determined as follows.

<Average Particle Diameter of Resin Particles>

A fiber surface magnified by 1000 times with a scanning electronmicroscope was photographed, and the diameters of ten resin particlesobserved in the micrograph were measured and averaged to determine theaverage particle diameter of the resin particles.

The resin particles on the surface of the fibers for artificial hair maybe solid at room temperature. It is considered that resin particles thatare liquid at room temperature are difficult to create an appropriateunevenness on the fiber surface, thus not exhibiting an effect ofirregularly reflecting light and being difficult to reduce the gloss.The room temperature in the present disclosure refers to temperaturesranging from 10° C. or higher and 30° C. or lower.

The resin particles may contain at least one resin selected from thegroup consisting of polyurethane-based resin and polyamide-based resinfrom the viewpoint of increasing the gloss-reducing effect. Examples ofthe polyurethane-based resin include, but are not particularly limitedto, aliphatic polyurethane and aromatic polyurethane. Examples of thepolyamide-based resin include, but are not particularly limited to,polyamide elastomers and polymers obtained by copolymerizing polyamidewith another component.

The resin particles may contain other kinds of resins in addition to thepolyurethane-based resin and the polyamide-based resin to the extentthat they do not impair the gloss property of the fiber surface.Examples of the other kinds of resins include polyoxyalkyl anddimethylsiloxane. The adhesion amount of the other kinds of resins maybe 0.05% omf or more and 0.8% omf or less.

<Fibers for Artificial Hair>

The fibers for artificial hair are not particularly limited, andexamples thereof include polyester-based fibers, polyvinylchloride-based fibers, polyamide-based fibers, polyacrylic-based fibers,acrylonitrile-based fibers, and polyphenylene sulfide-based fibers.

The polyester-based fibers are fibers formed from a polyester-basedresin composition. Typically, the polyester-based fibers for artificialhair can be produced by melt spinning of the polyester-based resincomposition. The polyester-based resin composition is normallymelt-kneaded before melt spinning. The polyester-based resin compositionmay contain, in addition to the polyester-based resin, one or moreadditives selected from the group consisting of a flame retardant, aflame retardant aid, a lubricant, a dulling agent, a pigment forcoloring, etc., as appropriate.

The polyamide-based fibers are fibers formed from a polyamide-basedresin composition. The polyamide-based resin composition may contain, inaddition to the polyamide-based resin, one or more additives selectedfrom the group consisting of a flame retardant, a flame retardant aid, alubricant, a dulling agent, a pigment for coloring, etc., asappropriate.

The polyvinyl chloride-based fibers are fibers formed from a polyvinylchloride composition. The polyvinyl chloride composition may contain, inaddition to the polyvinyl chloride, one or more additives selected fromthe group consisting of a plasticizer, a flame retardant aid, alubricant, a dulling agent, a pigment for coloring, etc., asappropriate.

The acrylonitrile-based fibers refer to polyacrylonitrile fibers andmodacrylic fibers. The polyacrylonitrile fibers are fibers made from apolyacrylonitrile resin containing acrylonitrile in an amount of 85 wt %(% by weight) or more and 100 wt % or less and other components in anamount of 15 wt % or less. The modacrylic fibers are fibers made from amodacrylic resin containing acrylonitrile in an amount of 35 wt % ormore and less than 85 wt % and other components in an amount of morethan 15 wt % and 65 wt % or less. The polyacrylonitrile fibers can beformed from a polyacrylonitrile resin composition. The polyacrylonitrileresin composition may contain, in addition to the polyacrylonitrileresin, one or more additives selected from the group consisting of aflame retardant, a flame retardant aid, a dulling agent, a dye, apigment, etc., as appropriate. The modacrylic fibers can be formed froma modacrylic resin composition. The modacrylic resin composition maycontain, in addition to the modacrylic resin, one or more additivesselected from the group consisting of a flame retardant, a flameretardant aid, a dulling agent, a dye, a pigment, etc., as appropriate.

The polyphenylene sulfide-based fibers are fibers formed from apolyphenylene sulfide-based resin composition. The polyphenylenesulfide-based resin composition may contain, in addition to thepolyphenylene sulfide-based resin, one or more additives selected fromthe group consisting of a plasticizer, a flame retardant aid, alubricant, a dulling agent, a pigment for coloring, etc., asappropriate.

The fibers for artificial hair may be non-crimped, raw thread-likefibers. The fibers for artificial hair have a single fiber fineness ofpreferably 10 to 100 dtex, more preferably 20 to 90 dtex, and furtherpreferably 35 to 80 dtex from the viewpoint of being suitable asartificial hair.

The fibers for artificial hair may have any cross-sectional shape,examples thereof include a circular shape, an elliptical shape, anirregular shape such as a horseshoe shape, a C shape, and a Y shape.

<Spinning Method>

The fibers for artificial hair can be produced by a conventionally knownmethod. The polyester-based fibers and the polyvinyl chloride-basedfibers are usually produced by melt spinning. In the case of producingthe fibers for artificial hair using a thermoplastic resin compositionsuch as a polyester-based resin composition, the thermoplastic resincomposition is melt-kneaded by any of various conventional kneaders,pelletized, and melt-spun. The extruded yarns may be cooled in a waterbath containing cooling water to control the fineness. The temperatureand the length of a heating cylinder, the temperature and the amount ofcooling air to be applied, the temperature of the cooling water bath,the cooling time, and the winding speed can be adjusted appropriatelyaccording to the polymer discharge rate and the number of nozzle holes.For example, in the case of using the polyester-based resin composition,the composition is melt-spun under the temperatures of the extruder,gear pump, nozzle, etc., of 250° C. or higher and 300° C. or lower, andthe extruded yarns passed through the heating cylinder are cooled to thetemperature at or below the glass transition point of thepolyester-based resin, and wound up at a speed of 50 m/min or more and5000 m/min or less to obtain extruded yarns (undrawn yarns).

The extruded yarns (undrawn yarns) may be hot-drawn. The drawing may beeither a two-step method or a direct spinning-drawing method. In thetwo-step method, the extruded yarns are wound once and then drawn. Inthe direct spinning-drawing method, the undrawn yarns are continuouslydrawn without being wound. The hot drawing is either a single-stagedrawing or a multi-stage drawing that includes two or more stages.Examples of the heating device for hot drawing include a heating roller,a heating plate, a steam jet apparatus, and a hot water bath, and thesemay be appropriately used in combination. If the fibers for artificialhair are spun-dyed, the fibers can be used as they are. If the fibersfor artificial hair are not spun-dyed, they can be dyed. The pigment,dye, aid, etc., used for dyeing may have weather resistance and flameretardancy.

The modacrylic fibers can be produced by a conventionally known method.The modacrylic fibers can be normally obtained by wet-spinning aspinning solution in which a modacrylic resin is dissolved in an organicsolvent. Examples of the organic solvent include dimethyl sulfoxide(DMSO), dimethylacetamide (DMAc), and N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF). Thewet spinning may include a coagulation step, a water-washing step, and adrying step. The wet spinning may also include a bath drawing stepbefore or after the water-washing step. An oil application step beforethe drying step may also be performed. A drawing step and a heatrelaxation treatment step after the drying step may also be performed.

The fibers for artificial hair encompasses all the fibers for artificialhair including polyester-based fibers, polyamide-based fibers, polyvinylchloride-based fibers, acrylonitrile-based fibers, and polyphenylenesulfide fibers. The fibers for artificial hair may contain various kindsof additives, such as a heat resistant agent, a light stabilizer, afluorescer, an antioxidant, an antistat, a pigment, a plasticizer, and alubricant, as necessary. Spun-dyed fibers can be obtained by causing apigment to be contained in the fibers. The touch and the texture of thefibers may be adjusted to be closer to the human hair using oils such asa fiber surface treatment agent and a softener. The fiber surfacetreatment agent and the softener may be mixed and applied together witha gloss-reducing resin emulsion, or they may be applied separately.

<Treatment with Resin Emulsion>

By applying the resin emulsion to the surface of the fibers forartificial hair, the resin particles adhere to the surface of the fibersfor artificial hair.

In the present disclosure, the resin emulsion refers to a dispersionsolution in which resin is dispersed in water using an emulsifier or thelike. It is considered that by applying a resin in an emulsion state tothe fibers, the emulsion resin particles easily adhere to the fibersurface rather than solely applying resin particles, and the emulsionresin particles aggregated on the fiber surface create unevenness on thefiber surface, thus imparting a gloss close to human hair to the fibersurface.

The resin emulsion has an average particle diameter of 350 nm or more.If the average particle diameter of the resin emulsion is less than 350nm, it is considered that the resin emulsion particles do not aggregateon the fiber surface and form a uniform film on the fiber surface,lowering the effect of irregularly reflecting light and reducing thegloss of the fiber surface. The average particle diameter of the resinemulsion may be 400 nm or more and 1000 nm or less, or 500 nm or moreand 900 nm or less. The average particle diameter of the resin emulsionrefers to the average particle diameter of the resin particles dispersedin the emulsion. The method for measuring the average particle diameteris not particularly limited and may be dynamic scattering.

In the resin emulsion, resin forms an emulsion with water as a solvent,and the resin particles from which water has been removed throughevaporation or the like may be solid at room temperature. If the resinparticles are liquid at room temperature, it is considered that theresin emulsion is more likely to be uniformly applied to the fibersurface and is less likely to aggregate on the fiber surface, thus notexhibiting an effect of irregularly reflecting light and being difficultto reduce the gloss.

The resin emulsion may be, but is not particularly limited to, apolyurethane-based resin emulsion containing a polyurethane-based resin,or a polyamide-based resin emulsion containing a polyamide-based resinfrom the viewpoint that these resin particles are solid at roomtemperature and easily create an appropriate unevenness on the fibersurface.

Examples of the polyurethane-based resin include, but are notparticularly limited to, aliphatic polyurethane and aromaticpolyurethane.

Examples of the polyamide-based resin include, but are not particularlylimited to, polyamide elastomers and polymers obtained by copolymerizingpolyamide with another component.

The resin emulsion may contain other kinds of resins in addition to thepolyurethane-based resin and the polyamide-based resin to the extentthat they do not impair the gloss property of the fiber surface.

The resin emulsion may be prepared by a known method. Exemplary methodsthereof include an aggregation method of adding an emulsifier or thelike to a solution in a state in which resin is uniformly dissolved soas to disperse emulsion particles; a dispersion method of finelydispersing droplets of emulsion particles by stirring or the like; andan emulsion polymerization method of performing a polymerizationreaction under the presence of an emulsifier to form emulsion particlessimultaneously with polymerization. As the emulsifier, a cationic,anionic, or nonionic surfactant may be used appropriately according tothe properties of the resin.

The viscosity of the resin emulsion is not particularly limited, and forexample, from the viewpoint of evenly applying the resin emulsion to thefiber surface, the viscosity at 30° C. may be 0.1 mPa·s or more and 1000mPa·s or less, 50 mPa·s or more and 900 mPa·s or less, or 100 mPa·s ormore and 800 mPa·s or less. The viscosity in the present disclosurerefers to a value measured by a B-type viscometer.

The pH of the resin emulsion may range from 4 or more and 9 or less,from the viewpoint of minimizing damage on the fiber surface andpreventing aggregation of other surface treatment agents.

The resin emulsion may be a commercially available resin emulsion. Forexample, a commercially available resin emulsion may be used as it is,or may be appropriately diluted with water.

One or more embodiments of the present invention may use two or morekinds of resin emulsions. For example, two or more kinds of resinemulsions may be premixed and applied to the fibers, or resin emulsionsmay be individually and sequentially applied to the fibers. The resinemulsion may include additives such as a thickener within the range thatthey do not impair the physical properties of the fibers.

The step of applying the resin emulsion to the fiber surface is notparticularly limited and may use the same method as any of varioustechniques pursuant to oil application methods for the fibers forartificial hair. For example, the step may use any of the followingmethods: bringing the fibers into contact with a roller whose surfacecontains the resin emulsion or a solution prepared by diluting the resinemulsion with water; dropping onto the fibers the resin emulsion or thesolution prepared by diluting the resin emulsion with water; immersingthe fibers in the resin emulsion or the solution prepared by dilutingthe resin emulsion with water.

The application amount of the resin emulsion on a solid basis is 0.3%omf or more and 1.1% omf or less. At this amount, the resin emulsion asthe resin particles having an average particle diameter of 1 μm or moreand 20 μm or less easily adheres to the fiber surface, thus exhibitingthe gloss-reducing effect while keeping a high combing property. Theapplication amount of the resin emulsion on a solid basis may be 0.35%omf or more and 1.0% omf or less or 0.4% omf or more and 0.9% omf orless.

After application of the resin emulsion to the fiber surface, drying maybe performed. The drying conditions are not particularly limited and maybe appropriately determined according to the types of the fibers and theresin emulsion. For example, the drying temperature may be 80° C. orhigher and 180° C. or lower, and the drying time is 0.5 minutes or moreand 15 minutes or less.

<Hair Ornament Product>

In one or more embodiments of the present invention, the fibers forartificial hair can be used singly as artificial hair. Alternatively,the fibers for artificial hair can be used as artificial hair productsin combination with other fiber materials for artificial hair or naturalfibers such as human hair and animal hair.

The hair ornament products formed using the fibers for artificial hairof one or more embodiments of the present invention have a natural glossin use. The hair ornament products are not particularly limited, andexamples thereof include hair wigs, hairpieces, weaving hair, hairextensions, braided hair, hair accessories, and doll hair.

EXAMPLES

Hereinafter, one or more embodiments of the present invention will bedescribed in more detail by way of examples. However, the followingexamples are not intended to limit one or more embodiments of thepresent invention.

The following measurement and evaluation methods were used in theexamples and the comparative examples.

<Average Particle Diameter of Resin Emulsion>

The average particle diameter of the resin emulsion was determinedaccording to dynamic light scattering with ELSZ-1000 manufactured byOTSUKA ELECTRONICS CO., LTD., using an aqueous solution prepared bydiluting the resin emulsion with water to the solid concentration of 1wt %.

<Viscosity of Resin Emulsion>

The viscosity of the resin emulsion at 30° C. was measured with adigital viscometer DV2T manufacture by EKO INSTRUMENTS CO., LTD.

<pH of Resin Emulsion>

The pH of a solution prepared by diluting the resin emulsion tenfoldwith water was measured with a pH meter manufacture by HORIBA, Ltd.

<Adhesion Amount of Resin Particles>

An adhesion amount of the solid of the resin emulsion was defined as anadhesion amount of the resin particles on the fiber surface.

<Average Particle Diameter of Resin Particles>

The average particle diameter of the resin particles was determined byobserving the fiber surface with a scanning electron microscope(JCM-6000 manufactured by JEOL Ltd.) at 1000× magnification, measuringthe diameters of ten resin particles observed in the fiber surface withlength measuring software, and averaging the measured diameters.

<Gloss>

The gloss was determined visually under sunlight using a 30 cm-longfilament tow having a total fineness of 100000 dtex based on thefollowing criteria.

A: The gloss is equivalent to that of human hair.B: The gloss is almost equivalent to that of human hair.C: The gloss is unnatural due to the difference from that of human hair.

<Combing Property>

The combing property was determined by bundling 2 g of 300 mm-longfibers for artificial hair and combing the fiber bundle to evaluate theresistance and the tangle of the fibers.

A: The fibers for artificial hair are smoothly combed through to the endwithout tangle.B: The fibers for artificial hair slightly get tangled with a comb butare combed through to the end.C: The fibers for artificial hair get tangled with a comb and cannot becombed through to the end.

Production Example 1

Each raw material was dried to the water content of 100 ppm or less. 100parts by weight of a polyester-based resin (polyethylene terephthalate,A-12 manufactured by EASTWEST CHEMICAL PRIVATE LIMITED), 20 parts byweight of a brominated epoxy flame retardant (SR-T20000 manufactured bySAKAMOTO YAKUHIN KOGYO CO., LTD.), 2 parts by weight of sodiumantimonate (SAA manufactured by NIHON SEIKO CO., LTD.), and 0.3 parts byweight of a dispersant (Wax Composite G431L manufactured by Clariant(Japan) K.K.) were dry-blended. The obtained polyester-based resincomposition was fed to a twin-screw extruder (trade name “TEX44”manufactured by The Japan Steel Works, Ltd.), melt-kneaded at a barreltemperature of 270° C., and pelletized. The pellets were dried to thewater content of 100 ppm or less. The dry pellets were fed to a meltspinning machine (trade name “SV30” manufactured by SHINKO MACHINERYCo., Ltd.), and the molten polymer was extruded through a spinneret withcocoon-shaped holes in cross section (flat ratio; 1.4:1) at a barreltemperature of 270° C., air-cooled with cooling air at 20° C., and woundup at 100 m/minute to obtain undrawn yarns. The undrawn yarns were drawnto 3.1 times with a heating roller at 75° C., heat-treated with aheating roller at 205° C., and wound up at 30 m/minute to obtainpolyester-based fibers (multifilaments) for artificial hair having asingle fiber fineness of about 60 dtex.

Production Example 2

A modacrylic resin containing 46 wt % of acrylonitrile, 52.0 wt % ofvinyl chloride, and 2.0 wt % of styrenesulfonic acid was extrudedthrough a spinning nozzle (hole diameter, 0.3 mm; the number of holes,1250) into a coagulation bath (20° C.) containing a 62 wt % DMSO aqueoussolution for coagulation, and the resultant filaments were drawn to 3times in a drawing bath (80° C.) containing a 50 wt % DMSO aqueoussolution. After water washing, the modacrylic fibers were immersed for 3to 5 seconds in an oil bath (60° C.) into which a mixture containing anoil (a fatty acid ester-based oil and a polyoxyethylene-basedsurfactant) and 0.5 parts by weight of dimethyl sulfone, added per 100parts by weight of the oil, was introduced, so that the modacrylicfibers were impregnate with the mixture of the oil and dimethyl sulfone.The fibers were then dried at 140° C., drawn to two times, and subjectedto a 20% relaxation treatment at 160° C. to obtain modacrylic fibershaving a single fiber fineness of about 46 dtex.

Production Example 3

1.4 parts by weight of a vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer (tradename “K1F” manufactured by KANEKA CORPORATION), 0.9 parts by weight of aplasticizer, 1.1 parts by weight of a heat stabilizer, 2.93 parts byweight of a processing aid, and 0.88 parts by weight of a lubricant wereadded to 100 parts by weight of a vinyl chloride homopolymer (trade name“S-1001” manufactured by KANEKA CORPORATION), and they were mixed andstirred with a Henschel mixer to obtain a polyvinyl chloride compound.The compound was introduced into a hopper of a single-screw extruder(bore diameter: 40 mm) and extruded for melt spinning at a cylindertemperature of 170° C. and a nozzle temperature of 180±15° C. The shapeof the nozzle holes was a cocoon. The extruded filaments wereheat-treated in a heating cylinder (330° C. atmosphere) located underthe nozzle for about 0.5 to 1.5 seconds. The undrawn yarns after heattreatment were wounded around a bobbin by a take-up roller. Then, theundrawn yarns were drawn to about two to four times the original lengththrough a hot air circulation box adjusted at 110° C. Thereafter, thedrawn yarns were subjected to a continuous 38% relaxation treatment inthe hot air circulation box adjusted at 110° C., and the multifilamentswere wound up to obtain polyvinyl chloride-based fibers (single fiberfineness, about 72 dtex).

Example 1

The polyester-based fibers obtained in Production Example 1 wereimmersed in a polyurethane-based resin emulsion containing apolyurethane-based resin and having an average particle diameter, aviscosity, and a pH as indicated in Table 1, and thereafter dewatered toadjust the application amount of the resin emulsion on a solid basis to0.4% omf to produce fibers for artificial hair on which 0.4% omf of thepolyurethane-based resin particles adhered.

Example 2

Fibers for artificial hair of Example 2 were produced in the same manneras in Example 1 except that the application amount of the resin emulsionon a solid basis was changed to 0.6% omf so as to adhere 0.6% omf of thepolyurethane-based resin particles to the fiber surface.

Example 3

Fibers for artificial hair of Example 3 were produced in the same manneras in Example 1 except for the use of a polyamide-based resin emulsioncontaining a polyamide-based resin and having an average particlediameter, a viscosity, and a pH as indicated in Table 1.

Example 4

Fibers for artificial hair of Example 4 were produced in the same manneras in Example 3 except that the application amount of the resin emulsionon a solid basis was changed to 0.6% omf so as to adhere 0.6% omf of thepolyamide-based resin particles to the fiber surface.

Example 5

Fibers for artificial hair of Example 5 were produced in the same manneras in Example 1 except for the use of the modacrylic fibers obtained inProduction Example 2.

Example 6

Fibers for artificial hair of Example 6 were produced in the same manneras in Example 3 except for the use of the modacrylic fibers obtained inProduction Example 2.

Example 7

Fibers for artificial hair of Example 7 were produced in the same manneras in Example 1 except for the use of the polyvinyl chloride-basedfibers obtained in Production Example 3.

Example 8

Fibers for artificial hair of Example 8 were produced in the same manneras in Example 3 except for the use of the polyvinyl chloride-basedfibers obtained in Production Example 3.

Comparative Example 1

Fibers for artificial hair of Comparative Example 1 were produced in thesame manner as in Example 1 except for the use of a polyester-basedresin emulsion containing a polyester-based resin and having an averageparticle diameter, a viscosity, and a pH as indicated in Table 1.

Comparative Example 2

Fibers for artificial hair of Comparative Example 2 were produced in thesame manner as in Example 1 except for the use of a polyurethane-basedresin emulsion containing a polyurethane-based resin and having anaverage particle diameter, a viscosity, and a pH as indicated in Table1.

Comparative Example 3

Fibers for artificial hair of Comparative Example 3 were produced in thesame manner as in Example 1 except for the use of a silicone-based resinemulsion containing a silicone-based resin and having an averageparticle diameter, a viscosity, and a pH as indicated in Table 1.

Comparative Example 4

Fibers for artificial hair of Comparative Example 4 were produced in thesame manner as in Example 1 except for the use of an alumina suspensionin place of the resin emulsion.

Comparative Example 5

Fibers for artificial hair of Comparative Example 5 were produced in thesame manner as in Example 1 except for the use of a silica suspension inplace of the resin emulsion.

Comparative Example 6

Fibers for artificial hair of Comparative Example 6 were produced in thesame manner as in Example 1 except that the application amount of theresin emulsion on a solid basis was changed to 0.2% omf so as to adhere0.2% omf of the polyurethane-based resin particles to the fiber surface.

Comparative Example 7

Fibers for artificial hair of Comparative Example 7 were produced in thesame manner as in Example 1 except that the application amount of theresin emulsion on a solid basis was changed to 1.2% omf so as to adhere1.2% omf of the polyurethane-based resin particles to the fiber surface.

Comparative Example 8

Fibers for artificial hair of Comparative Examples 8 were produced inthe same manner as in Comparative Example 1 except for the use of themodacrylic fibers of Production Example 2.

Comparative Example 9

Fibers for artificial hair of Comparative Examples 9 were produced inthe same manner as in Comparative Example 7 except for the use of themodacrylic fibers of Production Example 2.

Comparative Example 10

Fibers for artificial hair of Comparative Examples 10 were produced inthe same manner as in Comparative Example 1 except for the use of thepolyvinyl chloride-based fibers of Production Example 3.

Comparative Example 11

Fibers for artificial hair of Comparative Examples 11 were produced inthe same manner as in Comparative Example 7 except for the use of thepolyvinyl chloride-based fibers of Production Example 3.

The gloss and the combing property of the fibers for artificial hair ofthe examples and the comparative examples were evaluated as describedabove. Table 1 below shows the results.

TABLE 1 Fiber for artificial hair Average Resin emulsion or solutionparticle Adhesion Average Application diameter amount particle amount ona of resin of resin diameter Viscosity solid basis particles particlesCombing Raw fiber Kind [nm] [mPa · s] pH [% omf] (μm) [% omf] Glossproperty Ex. 1 Polyester-based Polyurethane-based 717 600 8 0.4 3.2 0.4A A Ex. 2 Polyester-based Polyurethane-based 717 600 8 0.6 3.2 0.6 A AEx. 3 Polyester-based Polyamide-based 700 200 9 0.4 4.6 0.4 B A Ex. 4Polyester-based Polyamide-based 700 200 9 0.6 4.6 0.6 B A Ex. 5Modacrylic Polyurethane-based 717 600 8 0.4 3.2 0.4 A A Ex. 6 ModacrylicPolyamide-based 700 200 9 0.4 4.6 0.4 B A Ex. 7 PolyvinylPolyurethane-based 717 600 8 0.4 3.2 0.4 A A chloride-based Ex. 8Polyvinyl Polyamide-based 700 200 9 0.4 4.6 0.4 B A chloride-based Comp.Polyester-based Polyester-based 41 40 5.5 0.4 Unmeasurable 0.4 C C Ex. 1Comp. Polyester-based Polyurethane-based 230 8000 10 0.4 Unmeasurable0.4 C C Ex. 2 Comp. Polyester-based Silicone-based 300 25 7.6 0.4Unmeasurable 0.4 C A Ex. 3 Comp. Polyester-based Alumina suspension 450500 4.5 0.4  0.45 0.4 C C Ex. 4 Comp. Polyester-based Silica suspension530 50 9.5 0.4  0.53 0.4 C C Ex. 5 Comp. Polyester-basedPolyurethane-based 717 600 8 0.2 3.2 0.2 C A Ex. 6 Comp. Polyester-basedPolyurethane-based 717 600 8 1.2 3.2 1.2 A B Ex. 7 Comp. ModacrylicPolyester-based 41 40 5.5 0.4 Unmeasurable 0.4 C C Ex. 8 Comp.Modacrylic Polyurethane-based 717 600 8 1.2 3.2 1.2 A B Ex. 9 Comp.Polyvinyl Polyester-based 41 40 5.5 0.4 Unmeasurable 0.4 C C Ex. 10chloride-based Comp. Polyvinyl Polyurethane-based 717 600 8 1.2 3.2 1.2A B Ex. 11 chloride-based * Ex.: Example, Comp. Ex.: Comparative Example

FIG. 1 is an SEM micrograph showing the surface of the fiber forartificial hair obtained in Example 1. FIG. 2 is an SEM micrographshowing the surface of the fiber for artificial hair obtained inComparative Example 1. In FIG. 1, aggregates (resin particles) having apredetermined size are observed on the fiber surface, which isconsidered to be exhibiting a gloss-reducing effect.

On the other hand, in Comparative Examples 1 to 3 using the resinparticles of a small particle diameter, the resin particles adhered insuch a manner as to cover the fiber surface, and a clear unevenness wasnot observed, resulting in a high gloss peculiar to fibers forartificial fibers. In Comparative Examples 4 and 5, the inorganicparticles that had been dispersed in the suspension adhered to the fibersurface, resulting in a coarse touch and a poor appearance and a poorcombing property. In Comparative Example 6, the amount of the particlesadhering to the fiber surface was too little, resulting in aninsufficient gloss-reducing effect. In Comparative Example 7, the amountof the resin particles adhering to the fiber surface was excessive,resulting in a poor combing property.

Although not particularly limited, one or more embodiments of thepresent invention may include one or more of the following embodiments,for example.

[1] A fiber for artificial hair containing resin particles adhering tothe fiber surface,

-   -   wherein an amount of the resin particles adhering to the fiber        surface is 0.3% omf or more and 1.1% omf or less, and    -   an average particle diameter of the resin particles is 1 μm or        more and 20 μm or less.        [2] The fiber for artificial hair according to [1], wherein the        resin particles are solid at room temperature.        [3] The fiber for artificial hair according to [1] or [2],        wherein the resin particles contain at least one resin selected        from the group consisting of polyurethane-based resin and        polyamide-based resin.        [4] The fiber for artificial hair according to any of [1] to        [3], wherein the fiber for artificial hair contains at least one        selected from the group consisting of polyester-based fiber,        polyvinyl chloride-based fiber, acrylonitrile-based fiber,        polyamide-based fiber, and polyphenylene sulfide-based fiber.        [5] A method for producing the fiber for artificial hair        according to any of [1] to [4], including applying a resin        emulsion to the fiber surface,    -   wherein an average particle diameter of the resin emulsion is        350 nm or more, and    -   an application amount of the resin emulsion on a solid basis is        0.3% omf or more and 1.1% omf or less.        [6] The method according to [5], wherein the resin emulsion has        a viscosity at 30° C. of 0.1 mPa·s or more and 1000 mPa·s or        less.        [7] The method according to [5] or [6], wherein the resin        emulsion has a pH of 4 or more and 9 or less.        [8] A hair ornament product containing the fiber for artificial        hair according to any of [1] to [4].        [9] The hair ornament product according to [8], wherein the hair        ornament product includes one selected from the group consisting        of a hair wig, a hairpiece, weaving hair, a hair extension,        braided hair, a hair accessory, and doll hair.

Although the disclosure has been described with respect to only alimited number of embodiments, those skilled in the art, having benefitof this disclosure, will appreciate that various other embodiments maybe devised without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be limited only by theattached claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A fiber for artificial hair comprising resinparticles adhering to a fiber surface, wherein: an amount of the resinparticles adhering to the fiber surface is 0.3% omf or more and 1.1% omfor less, the resin particles comprise at least one resin selected fromthe group consisting of polyurethane-based resin and polyamide-basedresin, and an average particle diameter of the resin particles is 1 μmor more and 20 μm or less.
 2. The fiber for artificial hair according toclaim 1, wherein the resin particles are solid at room temperature. 3.The fiber for artificial hair according to claim 1, wherein the resinparticles comprise the polyurethane-based resin.
 4. The fiber forartificial hair according to claim 1, wherein the fiber for artificialhair comprises at least one selected from the group consisting ofpolyester-based fiber, polyvinyl chloride-based fiber,acrylonitrile-based fiber, polyamide-based fiber, and polyphenylenesulfide-based fiber.
 5. The fiber for artificial hair according to claim4, wherein the acrylonitrile-based fiber is a modacrylic fiber.
 6. Amethod for producing the fiber for artificial hair according to claim 1,comprising applying a resin emulsion to the fiber surface, wherein: anaverage particle diameter of the resin emulsion is 350 nm or more, andan application amount of the resin emulsion on a solid basis is 0.3% omfor more and 1.1% omf or less.
 7. The method according to claim 6,wherein the resin emulsion has a viscosity at 30° C. of 0.1 mPa·s ormore and 1000 mPa·s or less.
 8. The method according to claim 6, whereinthe resin emulsion has a pH of 4 or more and 9 or less.
 9. The methodaccording to claim 6, wherein the resin particles are solid at roomtemperature.
 10. The method according to claim 6, wherein the resinparticles comprise the polyurethane-based resin.
 11. The methodaccording to claim 6, wherein the fiber for artificial hair comprises atleast one selected from the group consisting of polyester-based fiber,polyvinyl chloride-based fiber, acrylonitrile-based fiber,polyamide-based fiber, and polyphenylene sulfide-based fiber.
 12. Themethod according to claim 11, wherein the acrylonitrile-based fiber is amodacrylic fiber.
 13. A hair ornament product comprising the fiber forartificial hair according to claim
 1. 14. The hair ornament productaccording to claim 13, wherein the hair ornament product comprises oneselected from the group consisting of a hair wig, a hairpiece, weavinghair, a hair extension, braided hair, a hair accessory, and doll hair.15. The hair ornament product according to claim 13, wherein the resinparticles are solid at room temperature.
 16. The hair ornament productaccording to claim 13, wherein the resin particles comprise thepolyurethane-based resin.
 17. The hair ornament product according toclaim 13, wherein the fiber for artificial hair comprises at least oneselected from the group consisting of polyester-based fiber, polyvinylchloride-based fiber, acrylonitrile-based fiber, polyamide-based fiber,and polyphenylene sulfide-based fiber.
 18. The hair ornament productaccording to claim 17, wherein the acrylonitrile-based fiber is amodacrylic fiber.